Rain spoils New Zealand, Sri Lanka contest

Unfortunately rain was the ultimate winner as the third One-Day International between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Auckland was abandoned after only 28.5 were possible of the first innings.
At the time the umpires took the players off the field, hosts New Zealand were on 145 for three, with opener Martin Guptill, making a welcome return to form, on an unbeaten 66.
Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum again got his side off to a fast start, scoring 28 off just 22 balls, before he was caught at by Nuwan Kulasekara at square-leg off the bowling of Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews in the eighth over. At that stage the home side were 40 for 1.
Batting at number three, Tom Latham immediately looked composed at the crease, as he and Guptill put on 99 for the second wicket at a run-rate of five to the over.
The left-handed Latham was bowled by Mathews for 42 in the 27th over to leave New Zealand at 139 for 2. Ross Taylor did not last long as he was trapped in front by the impressive Mathews for 2.
With the wicket of Taylor, the umpires took the players off the field and the rain never abated. Captain Mathews was Sri Lanka's only wicket taker having figures of three for 21 off six overs.
Guptill, who was under pressure to start making runs, started slowly but gradually grew into his innings striking four boundaries and three maximums'.
It must have been a pleasing sight for the Black Caps management with the World Cup just around the corner.
The series remains deadlocked at 1-1 after three matches, and the sides now move on to Nelson where the fourth ODI, out of seven, will be played on the 20 January.
Latest
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 3: England skipper Joe Root’s brilliant form continues
Root’s 186 helped England battle back against Sri Lanka in Galle.
-
News
Jos Buttler: Everyone can learn something from watching Joe Root play spin
England’s captain scored another Test century in Galle.
-
News
5 biggest Test knocks of England captain Joe Root’s career
Root’s superb showing in Galle moved him up to fourth in the list of his country’s highest Test run scorers.
-
News
Joe Root puts on another batting masterclass in Sri Lanka before late dismissal
The England captain departed having scored 186 of England’s 339 for nine in Galle.
-
News
England rely on Joe Root again as he defies Sri Lanka with another century
He hit an unbeaten 137 as England reached tea at 252 for six to trail their hosts by 129 runs.
-
News
England stay alive in Sri Lanka as Joe Root claims another century
The Yorkshireman has reached three figures in consecutive matches for the first time in his career.
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 2: Familiar faces keep England in the hunt at Galle
James Anderson and Joe Root raised the bar in the second Test against Sri Lanka.
-
News
England paceman James Anderson still finding ways to get better
Anderson’s six for 40 was his best performance in Asian conditions.
-
News
Masterful Joe Root leads England fightback against Sri Lanka
The captain was unbeaten on 67 at stumps on day two of the second Test.
-
News
James Anderson leads the way as England bowl Sri Lanka out for 381
Spinners Jack Leach and Dom Bess were left to nurse a combined return of nought for 195 in 64 overs.